A network of clocks for measuring the stability of fundamental constants

用于测量基本常数稳定性的时钟网络

• 批准号: ST/T00603X/1
• 负责人: Giovanni Barontini
• 金额: $ 126.12万
• 依托单位: University of Birmingham
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FT00603X%2F1
• 关键词: network; clocks; measuring; stability; fundamental

We propose to create a world-leading programme to search for spatial and temporal variations of fundamental constants of nature, using a network of quantum clocks. Our consortium will build a community that will achieve unprecedented sensitivity in testing variations of the fine structure constant, alpha, and the proton-to-electron mass ratio, mu. This in turn will provide more stringent constraints on a wide range of fundamental and phenomenological theories beyond the Standard Model and on dark matter models. The ambition of the QSNET consortium will be enabled by a unique experimental platform that connects a number of complementary quantum sensors across the UK, namely state-of-the-art atomic clocks, molecular clocks, and a highly-charged ion clock. Key to the proposal is the networked approach in which clocks, with different sensitivities to changes of the fundamental constants, will be linked using optical fibres. The network involves a range of different quantum sensing devices and devices with different technology readiness levels: from the more established microwave atomic clocks on the one end to the highly-charged ion clock on the other. QSNET will be able to deliver important results in the first years, and at the same time develop advanced quantum sensors to provide increasingly impactful results as the project continues and the most sophisticated sensors come on line.

我们建议创建一个世界领先的计划，使用量子时钟网络来搜索自然基本常量的空间和时间变化。我们的联盟将建立一个社区，它将在测试精细结构常数α和质子与电子质量比Mu的变化方面达到前所未有的灵敏度。这反过来将对标准模型和暗物质模型之外的广泛的基本和现象学理论提供更严格的限制。QSNET财团的雄心将通过一个独特的实验平台来实现，该平台连接了英国各地的一些互补的量子传感器，即最先进的原子钟、分子钟和高度带电的离子钟。这项提议的关键是联网方法，在这种方法中，对基本常数变化具有不同敏感性的时钟将使用光纤连接起来。该网络涉及一系列不同的量子传感设备和具有不同技术准备程度的设备：从一端更成熟的微波原子钟到另一端的高电荷离子钟。QSNET将能够在最初几年取得重要成果，同时开发先进的量子传感器，随着项目的继续和最复杂传感器的上线，提供越来越有影响力的结果。

项目成果

Measuring the stability of fundamental constants with a network of clocks

使用时钟网络测量基本常数的稳定性

• DOI: 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-022-00130-5
• 发表时间: 2022
• 期刊: EPJ Quantum Technology
• 影响因子: 5.3
• 作者: Barontini G